MURRAY DISTRICTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Located at the Old Schoolmaster's House, Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra.
Our volunteers are there to greet you on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm, or by appointment.
The aim of the Historical Society is to research, collect, maintain and share stories of the Murray District that stretches from North Dandalup to Coolup, from West Murray to Dwellingup – and including the vibrant town of Pinjarra. We have a well maintained local history library, interesting displays and a large collection of photographs, documents, and display books.
We also have a strong membership of enthusiastic people and are always looking for additional members to join us. If you have a love of history, in particular of the Murray District, or if you have information to share, please visit us. And if you like what you see, consider becoming a member of our group. Our general meetings with a guest speaker are open to visitors. Other events, including bus trips, are available to members. All visitors are welcome to browse our collections during our ‘open’ hours or by appointment.
Please Note the Old Schoolmaster’s House will officially be:
- CLOSED on Monday 13th December 2021
- OPEN again on Friday 21st January 2022
- Visits By Appointment can still be arranged during the closed dates.
Contact persons: Val King 0458 673 608 or
Anne Cubitt 0422 516 283
Merv Beacham 0417 986 838
The aim of the Historical Society is to research, collect, maintain and share stories of the Murray District that stretches from North Dandalup to Coolup, from West Murray to Dwellingup – and including the vibrant town of Pinjarra. We have a well maintained local history library, interesting displays and a large collection of photographs, documents, and display books.
VOLUNTEERS … would you like to be one too?
We have a strong membership of enthusiastic people and are always looking for additional members to join us. If you have a love of history, in particular of the Murray District, or if you have information to share, please visit us. And if you like what you see, consider becoming a member of our group. Our general meetings with a guest speaker are open to visitors. Other events, including bus trips, are available to members. All visitors are welcome to browse our collections during our ‘open’ hours or by appointment.
HOW INTERESTING IS THIS!
Reminiscences – June Morrell
(Excerpts from information resourced and collated by Sheila Cullinane MDHS)
1845 – Our records begin of John Frederick Morrell (1845–1921) who married Mary Waldeck (1850– 1926) in 1871 at Greenough.
They had a family of 9 children – George being the eldest born in 1872 at Grass Valley.
1900 George married Esther Daisy Brand at Greenough.
They had 8 children – Denzil Keith Morrell was the youngest born in 1920 at Meckering.
1947 Denzil married June Morrell (nee Brown) who was born in Bruce Rock in 1924.
They had 3 children – Esther, Arthur and Denzil (youngest - born 1953).
Recollections by June Morrell (nee Brown) – born in Bruce Rock in 1924.
When she was 3 years old the family moved to Pinjarra. The Brown family had acquired a farm named “Kamo” from a Mr TG Kitching, which was 5 miles from Pinjarra on the Williams Road. It was bordered by the Murray River and the South West Railway line. The family consisted of Father, Arthur, Mother, Gertrude and four sons, being Eric, Arthur, George and Roy as well as two daughters being Beryl and June.
The homestead on the farm was built by Mr Kitching in 1907. It was a large barnlike structure with a 6ft passageway with rooms either side. The size of the farm was about 1,000 acres.
Pinjarrah Park (Murray Loc. 1) which was next door to the Brown’s (originally formed part of Murray Loc. 1) originally owned by the Fawcett’s and contained a flour mill which was not in use but had been run in earlier generations.
June and Denzil went to school together at Pinjarra and were just friends but later on became sweethearts. Denzil went North to earn money by shearing. They all did their schooling at the same Pinjarra School. They would ride their bikes down the road and catch the school bus. The school bus was a truck with blinds down each side with two seats back to back down the centre and two seats at the sides. There were two school buses for the area, one for Coolup and one for North Dandalup.
Today there is nothing left of the original farm except for some Bunya pines although there is so much more to read on the Morrell Family - The entire publication above can be read at the Murray Districts Historical Society.
Additional Information:
John Frederick Morrell’s Grandfather, John Morrell 1784 – 1843 Married Anne Thorpe 1789 – 1832 at London 27.3.1808. Arrived in the Colony per “Eliza” 5.3.1831 with 3 of their 8 children. Anne was third great Aunt of Merv. Beacham.
Follow our monthly articles in the Community Newspaper for more information about the history of Pinjarra and the heritage buildings of the Murray District. And we always welcome any stories or photos you are willing to share with us.
At the Old Schoolmaster’s House in Henry Street, Pinjarra … Come and look through the House as there is much more history to see and learn about!
OPEN each Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm, or by appointment
- our Volunteers will welcome you.
Do you have an interest in the history of Pinjarra and the Murray Districts?
If you would like to become one of our volunteers, please advise Jill on 0408 846 567 or by email alanjill37@hotmail.com
Follow our monthly articles in the Community Newspaper for more information about the history of Pinjarra and the heritage buildings of the Murray District. And we always welcome any stories or photos you are willing to share with us.
And we welcome new members.
For information about the Murray Districts Historical Society, its membership and its activities, please contact
Anne Cubitt – Secretary mdhspinjarra@outlook.com
For assistance with research or general questions about local history, contact Merv Beacham on 0417 986 838, or Val King on 0458 673 608
For more photos and stories of the rich history of the Murray, look at our Website murrayhistory.org.au/home or visit us at the Old Schoolmaster’s House within the Edenvale Heritage Precinct.
Murray Districts Historical Society wishes you all
a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year
We are grateful to all of our Sponsors, Supporters and our Volunteers
and we look forward to All Visitors during 2022.